RM Sotheby's will offer an unusual pair of 2015 Ferraris in London on 31 October: a 458 Speciale coupe and a 458 Speciale Aperta. Both were commissioned together through Ferrari's Tailor Made programme. Their identification numbers end in 207271 and 207272 respectively, and they share coordinated exterior and interior specifications.
The more valuable car is the Aperta, one of only 499 examples built. It carries an estimate of £1.2 million to £1.5 million, while the coupe is expected to bring £500,000 to £700,000. Both will be sold without reserve. Those estimates should not be confused with confirmed sale prices.
One commission, two body styles
The original customer selected Alluminio Grezzo Opaco, a satin aluminium-effect finish, along with Blu Nart racing stripes and exposed carbon-fibre components. The two interiors follow a similarly coordinated brief. The accompanying Tailor Made paperwork supports the cars' shared origin, while the consecutive chassis numbers make their connection unusually clear.
Both versions use Ferrari's naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8, producing 597 brake horsepower at 9,000 rpm, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 458 Speciale belongs to the final period of naturally aspirated mid-engined Ferrari V8 sports cars before regular models switched to turbocharging. The Aperta adds a retractable hardtop to that mechanical package.
The open car had covered 1,751 miles when catalogued, while the coupe showed 1,980 miles. RM Sotheby's says each has had two owners since new. Their documentation includes service records, original ordering information and Ferrari-issued scale models.
The cars will cross the block separately, as lots 132 and 133. They could therefore leave London with different owners, although bidders may choose to pursue the pair. Their original shared commission is the story here, not the announcement of any newly developed performance specification or factory limited edition.